Council postpones town street chip sealing project

Town Engineer Anthony Barnett brought up a pressing budgeting issue in regard to chip sealing Thermopolis streets at the recent Town Council meeting.

Town Clerk-Treasurer Tracy Van Heule had budgeted $515,000 for one-cent sales tax revenue, which is approximately $43,000 per month. May’s distribution was $49,000. Van Heule wondered out loud if this is an expense that can be put off until next spring and was not sure if this is feasible weather-wise. She said, “It’s one-eighth of our total of the one-cent budget. I was concerned about a large expense going out so quickly.”

Barnett said if they were going to do it, it would be better to do it sooner. However, the amount of time needed would present a rushed decision with little time to bid it out.

Director of Public Works Ernie Slagle said that doing chip is better to do when it’s hot. After some discussion, Mayor Mike Chimenti asked if it is possible to roll over the funds to next year. Van Heule said that it is possible. The Council passed a motion to postpone the chip sealing til next year. 

During citizen participation, Doug Nelson of the Farmer’s Market requested their usual spot off of Broadway in front of Centennial Park for the Annual Farmers Market every Saturday from July 25 to Sept. 26. He requested orange cans to be set up as barriers. They will set up shop at 7 a.m. and will be open from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m. They will wrap and clean up before noon. The Council granted his request.

A last-minute female attendee presented a request to the Council to see if it was possible to house four chickens in town. Mayor Chimenti said that the Town has an ordinance against that. The woman accepted the Town’s decision to deny her request.

Shorty’s requested a catering permit for the Ducks Unlimited banquet on July 22 at the Fairgrounds 5 p.m. until 11 p.m. The Council granted their request.

Shane Wilson, who is part of the committee of the Thermopolis Cowboy Rendezvous Ranch Rodeo, requested a liquor license for the event on July 18. They plan to have a beer wagon. Wilson said that they will have trained people serving the beer and checking IDs.

Mayor Chimenti said that he suggests that Wilson meet with Chief of Police Julie Mathews and find out what the rules and regulations are. Chimenti said, “I know we had a snafu last year where IDs were not getting checked. Make sure you get all your ducks in a row with Chief Mathews.” Wilson agreed. The Council approved the request for the liquor license and catering permit. 

In her report, Police Chief Julie Mathews said the recent downtown concert went well.

For the Fourth of July they had 21 calls for fireworks logged into the computer. She said, “The firework calls were many, so many that not all got logged. We spent the majority of time advising people.”

Mathews said that there were many out-of-state people who didn’t know that the Town had an ordinance against using fireworks. She estimated that 50% of the people were from out of town and the other 50% were locals. There were zero citations for illegal fireworks that night.

Town Attorney Mike Messenger presented two different extension agreements to the Town. The Council approved and signed an extension with the County and the Law Enforcement Center for two years and the extension with the landfill for one year.  Council member Tony Larson said he would like to see the formation of a solid waste district such as a joint power board. 

The Assistant to the Mayor Fred Crosby presented a letter for the State Land Investment to return $4,166.43 from the sewer project that they did over by Taco John’s across the highway. They expended all the funds that they can on that project. The Council agreed to return the money.

Also, Crosby presented a letter from the hospital requesting the Town’s support for their request for COVID funds. The letter detailed the amounts and what it is for a COVID grant. The Council will provide its support.

Larson also reported that there was major vandalism in Candy Jack Park again. An outlet cover and breaker box were damaged. They are looking into getting some cameras to place in the park to provide security and capture any further crimes to eliminate or catch the activity. Larson said that someone used pocket knives and cut the plastic rubber covers off the tables and peeled it away.